Newsletter Summer 2017 Edition

CONTENTS

pg.3 pg.21

DIRECTOR'S CORNER CROSSWORD PUZZLE

pg.4 pg.23

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT OPS IN THE NEWS

pg.6 pg.25

REWARDS AND RECOGNITION TIPS, TRICKS & OTHER
Peak Performers
Team of the Quarter pg.27
Service Anniversary
Kudos & Accolades UPCOMING SHORT COURSES

pg.11 pg.28

GETTING TO KNOW OPS PROGRAM UPDATES
Michelle Howard Amusements
Karen Klaversma Boilers
Conveyances
pg.12 Explosives
Remediation / PCRF
SUMMER RECIPES AND PHOTOS Fund
Recipes PRC
Photos
pg.40
pg.20
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
GUESS WHO?

You all work so hard throughout the year and deserve some R&R, so I
hope you take time to enjoy the natural beauty of our state. My family
and I spent a few weekends at some of our state and national parks, and
it never ceases to amaze me how fortunate we are to live here.

There have been many amazing accomplishments throughout OPS this
past year, and I am especially thankful for the work of those who went
above and beyond and have been recognized as Peak Performers.

We have also been very engaged with stakeholders in all of our

Bear Lake, Rocky programs and have successfully revised many of our regulations to

Mountain National Park ensure they are more effective.

It has been exciting to see us increase our engagement with our industry partners on cutting-edge
technology related to the devices we regulate, too, which in some cases will drastically change how
we do things.
• One example is our work with TÜV SÜD out of Germany. For more than 150 years, TÜV SÜD

has played a pivotal role in helping turn innovative ideas into social realities, with expertise in
inspection and testing for safety. Their new methods for conducting periodic testing of
conveyances with better science instead of additional weights will revolutionize how elevators
can be tested in the US.
• At the National Conference on Weights and Measures meeting in July, I got a chance to test the
Uber driverless car in downtown Pittsburgh during rush hour. This technology is ready to be
rolled out, and driverless cars will become commonplace in a few years.

The world we live in is rapidly changing, and I am glad to see we are engaging early on so we are in
a better position to adapt to these changes.

On the federal front, we have been anticipating and closely watching budget cuts at EPA that could
impact our programs. Thankfully, we have been proactively engaging with industry and the
legislature on this matter, so it's unlikely that these budget cuts will significantly impact our program.
We still have to be smart and stay lean, though, so we will be carefully evaluating the necessity to fill
vacancies in all of our programs over the next year.

If you have any ideas or suggestions on how we can be better at anything we do, I would love to
hear from you.

Enjoy your summer safely.

Mahesh

3

Brianna Krauser
Hi my name is Brianna Krauser. I was born here in
Denver and have lived in Colorado for the majority
of my life. Though I’ve lived here most of my life,
I’ve traveled to 17 countries, and I’m just getting
started. As much as I love the Rocky Mountains,
I am a water sign. Put a book in my hands and
toss me on the beach any day, and I’ll be
content. I have recently graduated from CU
Boulder with an Environmental Studies degree.
Know someone hiring? Hook a sistah up! ;) As
most of the office knows, I have worked for OPS
since I was 18 throughout my college years, so
I’m pretty much a jack of all trades in this office.
I am currently working with the Oil program
doing a variety of special projects, happy to be here!

Sean Paiz
Hello, I am Sean Paiz. I am a senior at the
Colorado School of Mines studying petroleum
engineering with a minor in public affairs. My
family is from a rural part of northern New
Mexico, but I have lived in Colorado my whole
life. Right now I am working on research into a
more effective compliance plan for storage tank
owners/operators in Colorado. My goal is to
bridge the gap between stakeholders and
companies through community involvement and
to improve the environmental responsibility and
sustainability of the petroleum industry as a
whole. I also do some side projects for OPS as
well. When I am not working, I am also an avid
distance runner (ex -collegiate athlete for
Mines), an archer and a CrossFit enthusiast.
Recently, I haven't been able to run due to a
ligament issue with my right knee, but I am still
training for a Spartan race up in Breckenridge
in late August.

Contents 4

Employee Spotlight

Art Boscamp

Art Boscamp is our newest Boiler Inspector that started on
May 1, 2017. He is married to Susan, his best friend. He has
two girls grown and out of the house.

He was born in Evanston, IL and graduated from high school
in 1974. He was the fifth in line of seven kids. He was very
ambitious as a youngster, shoveling during grade school and
always looking to do odd jobs. His mother allowed him to
check coats at a restaurant and was able to make about
$60.00/night. He also worked in a grocery store as a stock
boy, bagger before and after High School. He was able to
buy a new motorcycle while in High School. He was able to
go to Austria, Germany and Italy for a skiing trip for 10 days
for only $365.00. About 100 of 419 in his class were able to
go to Europe with him.

He skied Vail for 12 days when he was 16 years old and that is when he fell in love with
Colorado and told himself he was going to live here. In the years 1977-1985 he was a
contractor in Illinois and learned the business. In 1985 Art got married, moved to Houston, TX
and had his first daughter. After 3 years in Houston, he and his family moved to Dumont, CO.
He bought his first home in 1987 and was able to look out over I-70. Art stayed busy with his
own business as a Mechanical Contractor and HVAC while doing boiler work in Idaho Springs.
He bought a home in Arvada in 2014. He is pleased to be giving up the business to work for the
State of Colorado. Please welcome Art Boscamp. He will be a great addition to the Boiler
Program, the Public Safety group, and OPS.

Ronda Franke
Hello, I just started working at CDLE/OPS and I am very
happy to be here. I recently moved to Denver from San
Diego to be closer to my grand babies, 4 and 2. My dad
was in the Navy so I moved around a lot growing up –
mostly between Virginia and California. I love reading and
scrapbooking - I think it is important to document the
everyday along with the special times, as I often look back
on old pictures and wonder what was going on, what people
were thinking/feeling, and sometimes who they are. So much
family history has been lost because the stories weren't told.

I dabbled in various careers in my past: I worked as an
operations engineer at a local CBS television station in
San Diego, I was a paralegal once upon a time and I also
worked in the Registrar's office at a law school, basically
doing there what I am going to be doing here.

I look forward to getting to know everyone.

Contents 5

Jennifer Strauss Amy Miller

Johnny B Rob Herbert
Contents
6

Jenna Petropulos Wayne Reinert

Robert Schlegel Vinny Secondo

Contents Scott Wagner 7

Remediation:

Kyle Campbell, Jennifer Strauss, Julia Fraser, Michelle Howard, Mike
Kwiecinski, Murray Brown, Orren Doss, Rob Herbert, Tim Kelley, Tom Fox,
And Vinny Secondo

Contents 8

Contents 9

and of the boiler team was really great. They
were very timely, courteous, friendly and competent. An inspection
has never had such a friendly tone.

Lance Chestlock

and , I thank you both so very much for your
expended efforts in my behalf. I am very appreciative of everything you
have done to satisfy my inquiry

Mike Webb, Xcel Energy

, once again thank you and thank you for your timely
response. I especially appreciate your patience and the kind way you
handled, what for me, was a very difficult situation to understand. I
know I did not make it easy for you with my barrage of questions and
sharp answer. However, through it all, you maintained your cool and
came through for me in a courteous and professional manner. Your
competence restored my faith in Government.

Cheryl Haggstrom, Gateway Station

Hi Scott (Narreau). I must tell you working with was

awesome! Very kind and informative and assisted me the whole way
through and even where I screwed up! She’s a keeper!

Steve Mattfeldt, Sun Valley Rides, LLC

Contents 10

GETTING TO

KNOW OPS

By Sean Paiz

Michelle Howard
Michelle has been with OPS for seven years. She works
with the Remediation and Compliance sections at OPS.
Her day is divided among many different roles, such as the
coordination of release responses, the technical assistance
line and the emergency calendar. When she isn’t elbows
deep in emails and follow-ups, she can also be found onsite
for tank closures and removals, where she makes sure proper
soil and groundwater samples are taken. After it is all said and
done, she reviews the closure reports and issues No Further
Action letters as appropriate.

Michelle attended Minnesota State University Moorhead, where she studied to become a science
teacher. While attending college she worked as a research assistant for the USDA, where she
helped measure the sugar yield of sugar beets under different conditions. After graduating from
college and receiving both Minnesota and Colorado teaching certificates, she moved back home to
Colorado and taught 6th grade science and technology at Liberty Middle School for three years.

When Michelle is not working, she enjoys spending time with her (soon to be three) nieces and
staying active. Yoga is her go-to activity, but she is also part of a “Run Club” where she enjoys
running, biking and hiking with friends. Her balanced and upbeat attitude are just two of the many
reasons she makes a great member of the team here at OPS.

Karen Klaversma
Karen has been with OPS for about six-and-a-half years. She works with the Conveyance program
at OPS. Karen deals with many different aspects of Conveyances, which include issuing certificates
of operation and installation, as well as alteration permits. In addition, she handles consumer
complaints and is striving to educate the public about conveyances. Beyond that, she is also the
subject matter expert for the boiler and conveyance database project that OPS is currently working
on. Karen attended Metropolitan State University, as well as the Institute of Banking, but she
decided to pursue other careers in life, where she soon found OPS.

Karen has been married for 20 years and has three wonderful cats: Winifred, Roxanne and Violet.
When she is not snuggling up with her fur babies or buried in a pile of paperwork, there is one
pastime that never gets old - Karen is a golf enthusiast. It has been a hobby of hers for about 15
years, and she can often be found at the Fox Hollow Golf Course down in Lakewood or at Fossil
Trace Golf Club over in Golden.

Her experience and enthusiasm make her an excellent addition to the OPS team.

Contents 11

SUMMER RECIPES & PHOTOS

By Catherine Johnson

Summer Recipes

Sugar Snap Peas with Lemon, Ricotta, Mint and Parsley

By Jennifer Strauss
½ lb fresh ricotta cheese (about 1 cup)
1 tsp. lemon zest
1 lb. fresh sugar snap peas, trimmed, and halved
¼ cup loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
¼ cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves, torn
½ tsp. flaky sea salt
¼ tsp. black pepper
2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling

Stir together the ricotta and lemon zest. Toss together the snap peas, parsley, mint, salt,
pepper, and oil. Dollop about 1/4 cup ricotta mixture onto each of 4 plates. Top each plate with
about 1 1/3 cup of the snap pea mixture. Drizzle with additional oil.
Jennifer Strauss says, “It's really good and easy to make.”

Vermicelli Salad

By Catherine Johnson
1 Pkg round type Vermicelli – cooked and
drained
2 Tablespoons oil
Salt & Pepper – equal amounts to taste
1 Cup Green Pepper – chopped
1 Cup stuffed Olives – chopped
Add Hellman’s Mayonnaise – enough to moisten

Chill all day or overnight.

Summer Vegetable Salad 12

By Catherine Johnson
1 Can French Green Beans – drained
1 Can Green Peas – drained
1 Can White Corn (Niblets)
1 Cup Celery – chopped
1 Cup Green Peppers – chopped
1 Cup Green Onions – chopped (all)
1 Jar Pimentos – chopped
½ Cup Vinegar
½ Cup Oil
½ Cup Sugar
Salt & Pepper

Mix & Chill.
Contents

Summer Photos

Butterfly Iris White Tulips

Corn Garden Columbine

Contents 13

Summer Photos

Purple Columbine

Orange and Pink Roses
Yellow Roses

Red Roses Yellow and Peach Dave with his
Rose White Roses

Contents 14

Summer Photos

Photo from Ring & Ring Amusements

Jennifer Strauss’ Picture of CDLE Night at the Rockies
(July 3rd)

Contents 15

Summer Photos

Bobby’s Fantasy Kelly’s Summer Kelly’s Summer
Backyard Vacation in Nepal Vacation in Nepal

Riding Chair Lift at Big Orchid in Full Wild Purple Phlox
Sky, MT Bloom this Spring in Backyard

Contents 16

Summer Photos

Lake Trenton, NP Camping

Breckenridge Mount Rushmore Independence Pass

Contents 17

Summer Photos

Mike Kwiecinski’s Picture
Jacquee Wilson’s Vacation to Cabo San Lucas

Contents 18

Summer Photos

Glasgow Cathedral Isle of Staffa Tom and Marie on
the Isle of Staffa

Portsanachen Kilchurn Castle Benmore Garden
Flower

Hollyhocks in Front Easton Timothy, 19
of House born 7/13/17

Contents

1) Alberto Villagomez123) Jacquee Wilson
2) Greg Johnson 4) Murray Brown
34

20

Contents

Crossword

Puzzle

By Melanie Moore

Contents 21

Solutions

22

OPS in the News

March 28

Fox31

Gasoline ends up in diesel tanks after fuel mix-up at station

At least one vehicle is in the shop after a serious fuel mix-up at a Denver gas station. According to
state inspectors, a fuel distributor accidentally poured regular gasoline into the diesel tanks on
Saturday at the Phillips 66 Conoco station at 3895 Peoria St. in Denver. “It looks like there was
around 500 gallons of gasoline dropped into that tank,” said Scott Simmons with the Colorado
Department of Labor and Employment’s Division of Oil and Public Safety. State fuel inspectors
took samples from the gas station’s pumps Tuesday morning. Chemists performed flash point and
distillation tests on the samples and discovered the fuel was heavily contaminated with gasoline.

April 28

9News

Aurora gas pump continues to charge after pumping gas

When the pump clicks at the gas station, you expect the cost counter to quit running. Bill Thoennes
is the spokesman for the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment’s division of oil and
public safety. He says the current issue with the pump is what’s called meter creep.

May 14

Fox31

Fort Carson soldiers re-enlist on roller coaster at Cave of the Winds
Two soldiers decided to take the plunge — and re-enlisted in the U.S. Army on a roller coaster in
Colorado Springs. William Laybourne and Derek Rettig took their oath on the Terror-dactyl ride at
the Cave of the Winds Mountain Park on Friday.

May 23

Coloradoan

Big Thompson Canyon reopens today

A flurry of construction filled the Big Thompson Canyon closure Tuesday, with the hours dwindling
before Thursday's re-opening. The bulk of the work during the closure involved rock blasting.
Crews used more than 300,000 pounds of explosives to remove more than 380,000 cubic yards of
rocks from the walls of the canyon, according to data collected by the contractor, Kiewit
Corporation.

23

Contents

OPS in the News

July 13
Fox31
Security seals show signs of possible tampering at metro-area gas station
Credit card skimmers have been found at several metro-area gas stations in the past few weeks
and one customer believes he might have discovered more. According to the Colorado Department
of Labor and Employment, which oversees gas station regulations, attendants often peel the
stickers off to replace receipt tape and do not put new security stickers on when they are finished.
State regulators say they will send an investigator to those pumps to check them.

July 27
Denver7
Arapahoe County Fair pulls down ride after deadly Ohio accident
The Arapahoe County Fair kicked off Thursday, but one ride was sitting still as others came to life.
Fair organizers decided to shut down "Freak Out," a thrill ride similar to the Fire Ball ride at the
Ohio County Fair that left at least one person dead and seven others injured on Thursday. If you
would like to know how you can check if a carnival ride at your local fair has been inspected, you
can check the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment's Division of Oil and Public Safety
website to learn more.

July 31
Fox31
State releases inspection paperwork for rides at Colorado State Fair
All of the amusement park rides scheduled to be at the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo have been
inspected and certified as safe, according to paperwork provided by the Colorado Department of
Labor and Employment.

24

Contents

by Luz Duque

Office 2010 vs Office 2016

Computer updates, software updates...we are constantly receiving updates to improve security and
stay current with technological advances. Our latest update is for Microsoft Office; we are
transitioning from Office 2010 to Office 2016, and this could be quite a change for some of us. Many
things in Office 2016 are not in the same place they were in Office 2010, and some features have
also changed.

But, there is good news! We have ODT to the rescue with a list of online courses that teach
Microsoft Office 2016 basic and advanced uses. You may overlook the classes on OneDrive, as
CDLE does not utilize OneDrive (which requires a Hotmail account) for document collaboration; we
use Google Drive for this.

Google Drive Tips & Tricks

Issues with Google Drive? No problem! The CDLE Super Users group has created a Google quick
reference document, and ODT offers in-depth Google Drive training via Lynda.com. Check with your
supervisor for approval and then you can complete this form to sign up for an online Google Drive
class.

If you would like to access Lynda.com courses for your personal use, you may do so with your
library card! This article describes the process. (FYI - if you already have a library card and want to
try out Lynda.com, your PIN is usually your birth year.)

Contents 25

Tips & Tricks

Excel/Google Sheets
Problems & Easy
solutions

Is Excel or Google Sheets giving you a headache with mail merges, bullets/numbering or freezing
rows? No problem, the solution is simpler than you think!
Problem # 1: I need to include a mail merge with a date, but instead I get a weird number
This happens because of Excel formatting. If you encounter this problem, just change the cell
format in Excel to “Text” and that’s it!
Problem # 2: Insert Bullets and numbering:
The Microsoft website provides a complete set of instructions to solve this problem.
Problem #3: Freezing rows and columns in Google Sheets
One of the main problems we have with Google Drive is that when we have a document, such as a
spreadsheet in Google Sheets, many features are either unavailable or not in the same place as
they are in Excel. Freezing rows or columns in Google Sheets is fairly easy; here’s how to do it.
Video instructions are also available if you need them.

Put the cursor in the line, when the hand shows, draw until the row you want to freeze.

Put the cursor in the line, when the hand shows, draw until the column you want to freeze.

Those are tips and tricks for this Newsletter. If you have any ideas or suggestions for the next issue,
let me know and I will gladly include them.

Contents 26

UPCOMING SHORT
COURSES

By Jacquee Wilson

The dates for our upcoming short courses are in the table below.
Calendar invites for the Effective Team Communication and Professional
Communication courses are forthcoming. What would you like to learn in
these courses? Fill out this form to let me know.

Course Name Course Date

Verbal Judo for Inspectors August 15
Verbal Judo for Office Staff August 29
Effective Team Communication September 26
Professional Communication October 25

Contents 27

PROGRAM
UPDATES

28

AMUSEMENTS

By Candace Garza

Operator Spotlight: Brown’s Amusements

The Amusements industry is constantly evolving with the advent of various technologies. This
dynamic industry constantly responds to rapidly-changing public preferences, volatile trends and
patron demand. Industry legacies also continue to flourish, which is evidenced within the vibrant and
resilient carnival tradition in which Danny and Sherry Brown of Brown’s Amusements work diligently
to pursue their passion every year.

Arizona-based and family-owned Brown’s Amusements remains famous for its original and vintage
rides that are the paragon of the industry in their pristine condition, which devoted employees strive
to maintain every year. The operation features about 40 rides that provide the epitome of carnival
entertainment to patrons on a nationwide circuit every year. Brown’s entertains Colorado patrons
throughout the month of May each year.

Danny and Sherry owe their knowledge of the industry to a lifetime of immersion from childhood.
They acquired their own operation after gaining experience working with other successful operators
for several years. Brown’s is successful not only as a consequence of its owners’ expertise, but also
because of the dynamic of dedication that resonates throughout the operation. Sherry Brown’s
brother spends the winter months refurbishing the rides and running a winter circuit. Loyal
employees, hired each year from Veracruz, Mexico, through the international H2B Visa Program,
comprise the majority of persons working with the operation. Many of these workers have been
employed with Brown’s for over 14 years, obtaining various promotions and experiences within the
business.

Brown’s Amusements not only exhibits a strong record of compliance in Colorado - the operation
earned the coveted Outdoor Amusements Business Association’s Circle of Excellence award in
2007, 2010 and 2015, one of only four carnivals on the west coast to receive this award in its history.

Pictures of some of Brown’s famed devices below, courtesy of Dave Knight.

Contents 29

Amusements

Amusement Park Trends

Amusement parks both contrast with

and build upon the small carnival

operation. Amusement Park trends

typically align with pop culture and

technological advancements, the

evidence of which is developing in

Colorado, as two Colorado operators

now feature virtual reality simulators,

and several operators offer unique thrill

experiences, such as plunging descents

into abandoned mine shafts or swift

plummets from mountain cliff faces. Elitch Gardens’ Famous Ferris Wheel
Large theme parks, such as Universal

Studios, Disney World or Six Flags

feature new rides that follow the releases of movie franchises. Our very own Elitch Gardens

exemplifies a park with a multiplicity of themes, from speed water slides and drop towers to

classic giant swing rides and wooden coasters. Many other amusement parks are also

featuring classic rides, as the classic-ride and small-park nostalgia concept is rising in

popularity.

Amusements resorts are also gaining popularity, as seen with the Great Wolf Lodge in
Colorado Springs, which provides year-round water park entertainment to patrons. An
international example is the Tropical Islands resort in Brandenburg, Germany, which
provides a climate reminiscent of a jungle to tourists at any time of the year, with water
slides, panorama balloons and artificial beaches. These types of resorts are predicted to
rise in popularity in conjunction with small and classic ride motifs and movie franchise
themes.

Amusements Program Updates

Our Program would like to welcome four new operators who have opened their doors to the
public.

• Spider Monkey, a multi-event trampoline park in Aurora, opened its doors at the
end of July.

• Winter Park Adventure Quest in Fraser initiated operations in June, offering a
ropes course and climbing wall.

• Pulseworks, a company based in Georgia, installed a virtual reality simulator in
the Denver Museum of Nature and Science at the end of June.

• Whirly Rustic Hills in Colorado Springs introduced Coloradans to a Jai-Alai
amusements concept in June as well.

Our registration processes are streamlined further due to the creation of a new Portable
Locations Form, on which portable device operators are now able to easily update us
regarding new locations that are booked after they complete their annual registration by
completing the form and submitting it electronically to our office.

Contents 30

BOILERS

By Steve Nelson

New Boiler Database

Our progress with migration to Jurisdiction On Line is moving along - we started user
acceptance testing the last week of July. We’re looking to go live in late September or early
October and are very excited about this change.

Interesting Boiler Facts - City Steam and Chilled Water

Did you know that Xcel Energy’s steam system in downtown Denver is the oldest
continuously-operated commercial district-heating system in the world? Steam service
began for the first customers of The Denver City Steam Heating Co. on Nov 5, 1880.

When traveling the streets of Denver, you may spot water vapor (steam) coming from
manholes in the road - that’s the city steam system. Buried in tunnels beneath the streets of
downtown are steam lines (about 12-13 miles of them) that provide steam for building
heating and domestic water heating in the core downtown area. And, no, these aren’t like
the tunnels from Ghostbusters 2 - no evil slime flowing in our tunnels (that I know of,
anyway).

There is a steam generation plant on Delgany, near Union Station and Coors Field, as well
as the capital steam plant “on the hill” that provide steam to the distribution system. The
Zuni Station by Mile High stadium also provides steam to the system.

These city steam systems are not without their potential hazards, however. Fortunately, in
Denver we’ve not experienced any catastrophic failures, but some other cities have. You
may remember hearing about incidents in Boston, Chicago, New York and other large cities
in the recent past. Many of these manhole “explosions” are not steam related, but they are
all dangerous regardless of the cause.

In this video of an incident in Santa Clara county (CA) in October 2015 where a steam line
ruptured while undergoing maintenance, a utility worker was blown out of the manhole
opening when the steam line failed. The video shows the individual getting up and walking
under his own power shortly after the incident, but he was lucky - the outcome could have
been much worse.

Xcel also started providing chilled water in the mid-90s. You’ve probably walked past the
chilled water plants in your adventures downtown and didn’t even realize it. The process
involves freezing water in large ice tanks during off-peak hours (overnight). Then, during
the peak cooling hours, that ice is used for cooling. That’s a pretty simplistic explanation,
but more information on the chilled water and steam systems can be found online.

Contents 31

CONVEYANCES

By Greg Johnson

New Conveyance Database

The conveyance program will be implementing a new Salesforce database in 2018, with
work beginning this Fall. This database will be a welcome transition, as the current system, AMANDA,
has reached its limit of configurability to increase efficiency and value to the customer. The new
database will allow inspectors to enter inspections while working in the field, and it will eliminate
manual payment processing by issuing invoices (similar to the petroleum and boiler programs). The
most attractive feature of the new database is that we will be able to configure it to meet our needs,
which will reduce the time it takes to make changes.

Alternative Testing

A new technology to the U.S. market is alternative testing, which is a way to periodically test elevators
without the traditional method of adding thousands of pounds of weight to the elevator cab prior to
testing. In 2015, Colorado became one of the first states in the U.S. to allow this testing in regulations,
followed by Nevada. The new testing method allows for less trauma to the equipment during “drop”
testing and significantly more accuracy in determining pass/fail results.

Ropeless Elevators

Another new technology in the elevator world is ropeless elevators! For the last 160 years, elevators
serving high-rise buildings have relied upon steel-wrapped hemp “ropes” or, more recently, on steel-
reinforced rubber belts. According to ThyssenKrupp, an elevator manufacturer and contractor, the
number of buildings in the world over 200 meters (656 feet) tall has tripled since 2000; therefore,
advances have been made to increase the speed and reduce the footprint of elevators in these tall
buildings. These advances included two cabs stacked and moving together, then, in 2003, two cabs in
one shaft moving independently with robust safety controls (none in the U.S. yet), and finally this year,
ropeless technology. The new ropeless linear drive and guiding equipment system allows for vertical
and horizontal movement of the same elevator cab. How? By leveraging the linear motor technology
developed for the magnetic levitation transrapid train. The very first project of this kind will be installed
by ThyssenKrupp at OVG Real Estate’s new East Side Tower in Berlin.
With this ropeless system, architects and developers are no longer restricted in their designs by
concerns about elevator shaft height and vertical alignment. It also allows for:

• Shorter waiting times because there are multiple cabs in a single shaft. Multiple cabs
travel safely up one shaft and down another in a single continuous loop, much like a
circular train system on a vertical plane. The only visible difference to passengers – and
it’s a welcome one – is that the doors open every 15 to 30 seconds, despite having fewer
shafts compared to standard elevator systems.

• Smaller footprint and significantly increased capacity because traditional one-cab-
per-shaft systems take up more space as buildings increase in height. Multiple cabs per
shaft in fewer shafts reduces the elevator footprint by up to 50% and increases the
passenger throughput by at least as much.

• Substantially reduced weight and mass because of new lightweight materials and the
elimination of ropes and counterweights.

Contents 32

Conveyances

The operation of this new ropeless technology is illustrated in the diagram and computer
rendering below.

12

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45

Contents 33

EXPLOSIVES

By Candace Garza

Explosives Trends

The avalanche mitigation season may be dormant in Colorado this time of year, but the industry is
rapidly developing technological advancements, as temporary mitigation strategies have gained
popularity in comparison to permanent constructional methods, such as dams or walls. These
advancements have also challenged the current use of temporary mitigation methods, like
howitzers and helicopter-delivered explosives. The use of drones to release explosives into
snowpacks has already been pioneered in Telluride, as researchers are currently utilizing drones
to study snowpacks and their delicate equilibrium of stability. This information will be vital to the
implementation of all new technology for future mitigation. International humanitarian relief
agencies have already recognized the utility of these mountain drones as early-warning systems in
areas prone to floods and avalanches.

Wyssen, a Swiss-based company, has launched its own innovative avalanche mitigation and
warning measures to protect main cantonal highways, railways, and ski areas in Switzerland.
Systems for accurate monitoring of avalanche paths and blasting verifications through long and
short-range radars, infrasound avalanche detection and people-tracking radars in endangered
areas with limited visibility are just one facet of their potential. The company also features other
low-cost and high-safety mitigation tools, such as towers that trigger avalanches ahead of their
occurrences with remote-controlled blasting through radio signals from command centers and
solar-powered weather stations that measure snow, wind and snow drift through sensor
technology.

A Wyssen avalanche tower and weather station. Photos courtesy of Wyssen.

Explosives Program Updates

• Our program is benefitting from the success of our Explosives online payment system,
which was launched at the beginning of the year. Permit applicants are now able to
choose between paying online or by traditional methods as they submit applications. This
has proven to be especially helpful for companies with larger applicant pools.

• We have updated the permit applications to better facilitate the background check
process. The new versions also provide an efficient method of listing detailed and
informative storage information for the inspector and for records purposes.

Contents 34

Release Prevention/
Inspection/Weights and

Measures

By Scott Simmons

Risk Based Retail Motor Fuel Device Inspections

Effective April 1, the Petroleum Program implemented a new risk-based inspection
program of retail motor fuel devices (RMFDs), better known as “gas pumps.”
RMFDs have historically been one of the program’s most compliant areas of
inspection and testing, having a current compliance rate of approximately 97%.

This compliance rate can be attributed to a number of factors, including:

1.A good program of inspection by OPS inspectors.
2.A fully-developed registered service agency (RSA) program which allows

owners/operators to hire an RSA to calibrate and adjust meters as often as
they would like.
3.Dispenser technology that allows for long-term operation without major issues.

Some of the major highlights of the risk-based inspection program are as follows:

• All facilities will be inspected at least every 3 years.
• 20% of the meters at each facility will be tested during inspections using

random selection.
• All RMFDs will be inspected for NIST Handbook 44 requirements.
• All new facilities will be inspected within 60 days of opening, and all RMFDs will

be tested at these facilities.
• 5% of all facilities will receive a complete inspection including RMFD testing

each year.
• Fuel quality sampling and inspection will continue per the division’s existing

schedule.

One of the major goals of this program is to free up resources to focus on other
areas of inspection that have a lower compliance rate and greater risk to public
safety, the environment and equity in the marketplace.

Contents 35

Remediation / PCRF

By Michelle Howard and Jennifer Strauss

Remediation Update

Since January 1, 2017, the biggest project the Remediation Section has been focused on is getting
the Recognized Environmental Professional (REP) program off the ground.

Here’s an overview of the progress we’ve made on the key aspects of the REP program.
• We created an application for REP applicants to document their educational background
and decision-making experience, supported by project descriptions.
• We also assembled an Application Review Group (ARG) to review the applicants’ decision-
making experience.
• Once the ARG approves an application, we email the applicant the link for the online
regulatory proficiency exam which the Remediation Section staff beta tested before
making it available to the REP applicants.
o The Petroleum Program developed over 300 questions for the exam, 50 of which are
randomly selected for the REP applicants to answer.
o An applicant must score 80% or above to pass the exam.
o When they pass, they receive a REP card and approval letter.
• To maintain the REP status going forward, REPs are required to complete 24 hours of
continuing education every three years.
• We are currently developing revocation considerations for REPs who are not ethical or
don’t meet the continuing education requirements.

Two REP outreach presentations occurred in June - Erik Gessert presented a REP program overview
at a local Remediation Workshop, and Jennifer Strauss presented on how to fill out the REP
application at GeoTech Field days. Tiffany Becker is the Project Manager for REP program
development. Amy Miller, Luz Duque and Melanie Moore created the REPit database to keep track of
the important milestones in the REP application approval process, and Jacquee Wilson is in charge of
the Communication Plan.

As of August 1, thirty-three REP applications have been received, and 12 people have completed the
process and are REPs. We have received positive feedback from the environmental consultants
about the REP program. Here are a few of their comments…

• “The REP designation means that I am recognized by a group of peers as having the
necessary education and experience to successfully manage environmental projects. It also
indicates that my peers recognize my integrity and ethical behavior.”

• “To me, the REP designation means an official statement of trust in both direction, OPS to
REP and back, that should greatly improve project lifecycle, efficiency, and save Fund
dollars.”

Our work continues with two continuing education courses that
are on the horizon for September and October. We also plan to
fully transition from the Listed Consultant program to the REP
program by January 1, 2018. For a more detailed and visually-
enhanced summary, please check out the big blue presentation
board in the Remediation Section area.

Contents 36

Remediation/PCRF

Petroleum Cleanup and Redevelopment Fund Update

A few updates from the last internal newsletter: the Site Selection Group met on May 3 and
approved two more applications.

• Application #29 located at 401 S. Nevada,
Colorado Springs, was approved for $16,796.40
to locate tanks and conduct site assessment
activities, as well as $2,000 per tank for removal.
The site was an office building that has been
vacant for several years. In the mid 1930s the
site was a gas station which closed prior to
regulation in the 1970s. The plan is to build a
multi-purpose building with a market on the
bottom levels and apartments above.

• Application #30 located at 2590 Gray St., Edgewater, was approved for site assessment,
tank removal and excavation. The property is currently being used as a residential rental,
but it was a gas station in the 1930s as well. The main goal is to remove tanks and
assess the environmental risk.

We recently received another strong application that will be presented to the Site Selection
Group soon. The site is located at 301 Grant Ave in La Junta. This location was a gas
station from the 1940s to the early 1980s, when the tanks were removed, but the site was
not assessed until recently. This property is at a great location in La Junta off of Highway 50,
next to the community swimming pool.

To date, the Petroleum Cleanup and Redevelopment Fund has approved the disbursement
of $650,571.05, of which $78,000 has been reimbursed for tank removals and $463,132.04
has been reimbursed for redevelopment enhancements.

Contents 37

FUND

By Jane Bral

Leaning Efforts

The Fund Section staff have been busy working towards implementation
of our latest leaning event of the reimbursement application intake
process. We’ve developed new applications, eliminated several pain
points for our applicants and developed a new format for submittal of
costs, thereby eliminating many of the duplication of cost documents.
We presented this new application submittal process to a select group of
stakeholders on July 25. We will present the process to the larger
applicant and consulting community in September, and by January
2018, we will only accept the new applications. Each Fund Section staff
member has had a role in developing and implementing this process
change, and we’ve also received help from Steve and Herb.

To all - your efforts are much appreciated.

J, Luz and I undertook a less formal leaning effort to get rid of the yellow
folders and associated paper. The yellow folders contain the documents
that we send to Finance that allow for payment of Fund
reimbursements. We worked with Finance to devise methods to
electronically process these payments and submit them to Finance
electronically. It has taken some getting used to - I like paper - but so far
so good.

Audits

Johnny and Kris took the lead on performing a Fund audit of ATC
Associates. This audit involved a visit to their office in Centennial. During
the management interview, they learned how ATC prepares
reimbursement applications. As it turns out, they use three different
processes to prepare reimbursement applications based on different
client requirements. This may explain why we often see inconsistencies
with ATC prepared applications. ATC provided source documents
related to several applications they had prepared, and Johnny and Kris
are currently evaluating these documents in anticipation of writing the
audit report.

Contents 38

Fund

Comparison of Colorado Fund with Other State Funds

Ever wonder how the Colorado Petroleum Storage Tank Fund compares with other State Funds? Well
thanks to the Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials (ASTSWMO) annual
State Fund Survey, I can provide a comparison with several States with State Funds. See the table
below.

State Total Paid Out (millions) # Sites Closed Average Cost Per Site
Colorado $554 1,906 $221,431
Arizona $409 2,520 $151,000
Montana $121 1,358 $61,729
Nebraska $140 1,203 $82,550
North Dakota $13 6 $61,963
Utah $110 1,717 $146,444
Wyoming $185 1,216 N/A
Florida $3,248 7,507 $240,327
Georgia $451 2,194 $175,418
Indiana $619 119 $341,135
Louisiana $347 1,194 $220,435
Minnesota $432 17,900 $35,400
Massachusetts $454 1,771 $203,384
Ohio $231 2,311 $108,079

PUBLIC RECORDS
CENTER

By Melanie Moore

PRC in Numbers

The Oil and Public Safety Public Records Center would like to provide you with a status update of our
paperless project. Here are some relevant numbers:

• Since 2014, 66,732 documents and 1,360,164 pages have been scanned.
• 9,483 paper files are left from the initial total of 19,918.
• Our average processing time for file reviews is 12.087 minutes.

Contents 39

CDLE All-staff meetings November 2 & December 7
OPS Division meetings August 16 & December 13
Diversity Committee September 6, October 11,
November 8 & December 13
Employee Advisory Council (EAC) September 27 & November 29
Employee Relations Committee August 24
(ERC)
Customer Service Initiative September 14 & October 12
Employee Engagement & September 12 & November 14
Accountability Initiative
Process Improvement Initiative October 11

Technology Initiative August 22, September 5, 19,
October 3, 17, 31, November 14,
28, December 12, 26

Contents 40